Why do so many studio directors now desire to unveil extended versions of their previous films? Following in the footsteps of Zack Snyder and David Ayer, this week brings yet another director promoting their own extended cut for a film that star Denzel Washington.
Antoine Fuqua’s 2016 release, The Magnificent Seven, received lukewarm reviews, with the general consensus labeling it as an unsatisfying remake of a beloved classic. Many argue that it should never have received the green light for production.
A 5-hour Director’s Cut In Store For Fans
Ethan Hawke, one of the stars of The Magnificent Seven, had previously alluded to the existence of a 5-hour version of the film. Now, Antoine Fuqua, as revealed through IndieWire, is officially confirming its existence and expressing a strong desire to release it to the public.
“[Ethan Hawke] saw the very first [cut]. I don’t know where it is now though, with MGM, I’d have to try to get it. I would like to recut it myself, but I don’t know who would pay for it. I’d have to pay for that, somewhere down the line, I might try. But yeah, he saw the very first cut, which I thought was better. You are dealing with the studio and timing and theaters, but you got a business is business. But I wish that one was the version [that was released].”
Antoine Fuqua also shared his perspective on his 2003 action film Tears of the Sun, featuring Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci. He noted that there was a more extensive version initially, which was trimmed down. The original intention was to focus on the people and the events rather than making it predominantly movie star-driven. However, Fuqua acknowledged Bruce Willis’s status as an exceptional movie star and understood the shift in focus.
The Harsh Reality Of Director’s Cut
Let’s face the unvarnished reality about director’s cuts: in most cases, a movie that has undergone substantial studio interference may not have been strong from the outset. Naturally, there are occasional exceptions such as Once Upon A Time in America, Brazil, and Blade Runner, but they are rare occurrences.
The remake of The Magnificent Seven boasted a stellar ensemble cast, including Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Peter Sarsgaard. However, the action was unrelentingly aggressive, and the overall film suffered from a noticeable lack of coherence.
The timeless narrative, which drew significant inspiration from Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, revolves around the tale of seven gunslingers uniting to defend a town from ruthless bandits who have invaded and seized control of it.
The Magnificent Seven can be streamed on Prime Video.
Source: World of Reel
